Survivor experiences central to tackling violence against women

Published: Sunday, April 26, 2026

Survivor engagement can significantly improve policies in tackling violence against women. Yet, in Ireland, too often this has happened in an ad hoc way through survivors sharing personal, painful experiences and losses, which can be very traumatising.

A new report published by the National Observatory on Violence against Women, convened by the National Women’s Council (NWC), today (27th April 2026) outlines a framework for engaging with survivors of different forms of gender-based violence in a structured and safe way. The framework includes the establishment of a survivor-chaired Lived Experience Advisory Council to advise Government.

Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director, NWC, said:

“Violence against women is at epidemic proportions, with over 65,000 calls to gardaí in 2024, on domestic violence alone. We urgently need a complete paradigm shift to address it. There has been a real effort made by the government and Cuan to include survivors’ voices in efforts to tackle violence against women. The new research published today outlines a clear pathway to build on this and develop structures and supports that will ensure a much more systematic and safe way for survivors of different forms of gender-based violence to inform and shape policy and legislation.”    

The research draws on consultations with survivors, specialist services working in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and policymakers including civil servants and government departments leading on the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy.

One of the central recommendations of the report is the establishment of a survivor-led Lived Experience Advisory Council which should reflect a breadth of perspectives and experiences. The report recommends using an open call to ensure that women with different lived experiences of violence, women from diverse and underrepresented groups, such as Traveller, Roma, LGBTQ+, and migrant women, and family members of women killed are all represented.

Mary-Louise Lynch, founder of Survivors Informing Services and Institutions (SiSi), said:
"Too often women who have experienced gender-based violence are retraumatised by courts or in the media while trying to be heard. Ireland has a history of silencing survivors by imposing harsh secrecy measures. For example, the In Camera rule remains a serious deterrent to much needed systemic transparency and accountability. 

This must change. Survivors must be recognised, allowed to speak and be respected as experts by experience. We must be remunerated for our time and invaluable input contributing to positive change. 

The recommendation to create a survivor-led Lived Experience Council is very welcome by the survivors included in this survivor centred research and marks an historic step in recognising survivors as experts by experience, amplifying the changes our collective courage inspires. However, no two survivors have the same experience and the proposed framework for engagement and Advisory Council must reflect this. It should be structured yet flexible, inclusive of people’s diverse experiences and identities, allowing multiple paths to survivor engagement."

The report also recommends:

A National Consultation with survivors and DSGBV organisations and services to inform the development of the Fourth National Strategy on Violence Against Women and Girls
Commitment by government to funding these structures in a sustainable manner, to build trust and remunerate survivors sharing their experiences in order to achieve system change

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Ireland., said:

‘The voices of survivors are essential if we are to end violence against women. We know this to be true but our actions often fall short and are inconsistent. Now we have the tools to correct that. Community Foundation Ireland and its philanthropists are proud to partner this pioneering work, and in particular to thank the survivors who bravely shared their life experiences to inform it.’

Read the full report ‘Structures of Engagement for Survivors of Violence Against Women’, link here.